Upside case
Bull case
$440+53.4%
NDSN would need investors to value it at roughly 39x earnings — about 13x more generous than today's 25x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Analysis OverviewBuyUpdated May 1, 2026
Nordson Corporation (NDSN) Stock Analysis
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Analyst consensus
Buy
Covering
20
analysts
13 bullish · 0 bearish · 20 covering NDSN
Strong Buy
0
Buy
13
Hold
7
Sell
0
Strong Sell
0
Consensus Target
$312
+8.6% vs today
Scenario Range
$188 – $440
Model bear to bull value window
Coverage
20
Published analyst ratings
Valuation Context
25.1x
Forward P/E · Market cap $16.0B
NDSN price targets
Three scenarios for where NDSN stock could go
Current
~$287
Confidence
60 / 100
Updated
May 1, 2026
Where we are now
Current · $287
Bear
$188
Base
$347
Bull
$440
Market caseClosest to today
Base case
$347+21.0%
At 30x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
Stress case
Bear case
$188-34.5%
If investor confidence fades or macro conditions deteriorate, a 9x multiple contraction could push NDSN down roughly 34% from where it trades now.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.
Nordson Corporation
NDSN · NASDAQIndustrialsIndustrial - MachineryOctober year-end
Nordson Corporation is a specialized industrial machinery company that designs and manufactures precision dispensing systems for adhesives, coatings, sealants, and other fluids used across manufacturing industries. It generates revenue primarily through its two segments—Industrial Precision Solutions (~60% of sales) serving packaging and consumer goods, and Advanced Technology Solutions (~40%) serving electronics, medical, and industrial applications. The company's competitive advantage lies in its deep application expertise and proprietary dispensing technologies that create high switching costs for customers in mission-critical manufacturing processes.
Market Cap
$16.0B
Revenue TTM
$2.8B
Net Income TTM
$523M
Net Margin
18.4%
NDSN Revenue and Earnings Performance
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
EPS Beat Rate
83%Exceptional
12 quarters tracked
Revenue Beat Rate
67%Exceptional
vs consensus estimates
Avg EPS Surprise
+3.3%
above Street consensus
Beat / Miss Record
BeatMissLeft = EPS · Right = Revenue
Q2 2025
Q3 2025
Q4 2025
Q1 2026
Last 4 Quarters
EPS beats: 4 of 4Q2 2025
EPS
$2.42/$2.36
Revenue
$683M/$672M
Q3 2025
EPS
$2.73/$2.64
Revenue
$742M/$724M
Q4 2025
EPS
$3.03/$2.93
Revenue
$752M/$761M
Q1 2026
EPS
$2.37/$2.37
Revenue
$669M/$653M
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2025 | $2.42/$2.36 | +2.5% | $683M/$672M | +1.6% |
| Q3 2025 | $2.73/$2.64 | +3.4% | $742M/$724M | +2.5% |
| Q4 2025 | $3.03/$2.93 | +3.4% | $752M/$761M | -1.2% |
| Q1 2026 | $2.37/$2.37 | +0.0% | $669M/$653M | +2.6% |
FY1–FY2 Estimates
Revenue Outlook
FY1
$3.0B
+3.7% YoY
FY2
$3.1B
+4.0% YoY
EPS Outlook
FY1
$9.85
+5.7% YoY
FY2
$10.30
+4.5% YoY
Trailing FCF (TTM)$646M
FCF Margin: 22.7%
Next Earnings
May 20, 2026
Expected EPS
$2.79
Expected Revenue
$729M
NDSN beat EPS estimates in 4 of 4 tracked quarters. A perfect track record raises the bar for the upcoming report.
NDSN Revenue Breakdown by Segment
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest disclosure
FY 2024
Total disclosed revenue $2.7B
Product Mix
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Industrial Precision Solutions
55.2%
+6.7% YoY
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Geographic Mix
Latest annual revenue by reported region
Americas Excluding Us
43.8%
+2.5% YoY
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Industrial Precision Solutions is the largest disclosed segment at 55.2% of FY 2024 revenue, up 6.7% YoY.
Americas Excluding Us is the largest reported region at 43.8%, up 2.5% YoY.
NDSN Valuation Snapshot
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Relative Value Signal
Slightly Overvalued
Fair value est. $260 — implies -8.3% from today's price.
Premium to Fair Value
8.3%
above fair value
Deep DiscountFair ValueVery Expensive
vs S&P 500 Trailing P/E
NDSN
33.7x
vs
S&P 500
25.2x
+34% premium
vs Industrials Trailing P/E
NDSN
33.7x
vs
Industrials
25.9x
+30% premium
vs NDSN 5Y Avg P/E
Today
33.7x
vs
5Y Average
28.3x
+19% premium
Forward PE
25.1x
S&P 500
19.1x
+32%
Industrials
20.8x
+21%
5Y Avg
—
—
Trailing PE
33.7x
S&P 500
25.2x
+34%
Industrials
25.9x
+30%
5Y Avg
28.3x
+19%
PEG Ratio
2.28x
S&P 500
1.75x
+31%
Industrials
1.59x
+44%
5Y Avg
—
—
EV/EBITDA
20.8x
S&P 500
15.3x
+37%
Industrials
13.9x
+50%
5Y Avg
18.9x
+10%
Price/FCF
24.2x
S&P 500
21.3x
+13%
Industrials
20.6x
+17%
5Y Avg
25.4x
-5%
Price/Sales
5.7x
S&P 500
3.1x
+83%
Industrials
1.6x
+260%
5Y Avg
5.2x
+10%
Dividend Yield
1.10%
S&P 500
1.88%
-42%
Industrials
1.24%
-11%
5Y Avg
1.07%
+3%
| Metric | NDSN | S&P 500 | Industrials | 5Y Avg NDSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 25.1x | 19.1x+32% | 20.8x+21% | — |
| Trailing PE | 33.7x | 25.2x+34% | 25.9x+30% | 28.3x+19% |
| PEG Ratio | 2.28x | 1.75x+31% | 1.59x+44% | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 20.8x | 15.3x+37% | 13.9x+50% | 18.9x+10% |
| Price/FCF | 24.2x | 21.3x+13% | 20.6x+17% | 25.4x |
| Price/Sales | 5.7x | 3.1x+83% | 1.6x+260% | 5.2x |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 1.88% | 1.24% | 1.07% |
NDSN trades above S&P 500 benchmarks on 6 of 6 measured multiples — commands a broad premium across most valuation dimensions.
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolNDSN Financial Health
Verdict
Strong
NDSN generates $646M in free cash flow at a 22.7% margin — 10.5% ROIC signals a durable competitive advantage · returns 3.0% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Cash Engine
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
Revenue (TTM)
Trailing-twelve-month sales base
$2.8B
Revenue Growth
TTM vs prior year
+6.5%
Gross Margin
Gross profit as a share of revenue
55.2%
Operating Margin
Operating income divided by revenue
25.9%
Net Margin
Net income divided by revenue
18.4%
EPS (TTM)
Diluted earnings per share, trailing twelve months
$9.32
Free Cash Flow (TTM)
Cash generation after capex
$646M
FCF Margin
FCF as share of revenue — the primary cash quality signal
22.7%
Capital Quality
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
ROIC
Return on invested capital — primary competitive quality signal
10.5%
ROA
Return on assets, trailing twelve months
10.2%
Cash & Equivalents
Liquid assets on the balance sheet
$108M
Net Debt
Total debt minus cash
$2.0B
Debt Serviceability
Net debt as a multiple of annual free cash flow
3.1× FCF
~3.1 years to full repayment at current FCF run-rate
ROE
Return on equity, trailing twelve months
16.8%
Shareholder Returns
How capital is returned to owners
Total shareholder yield
3.0%
Dividend
1.1%
Buyback
1.9%
Share Repurchases
Trailing buyback outflow — dollar magnitude of capital returned
$306M
Dividend / Share
Annualized trailing dividend per share
$3.15
Payout Ratio
Share of earnings distributed as dividends
37.0%
Shares Outstanding
Declining as buybacks retire shares
57M
All figures from the trailing twelve months. ROIC uses invested capital (equity + net debt).
Open full ratios pageNDSN Stock Risk Factors
Key factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
High Risk
Valuation Concerns
Nordson Corporation may be overvalued, indicated by a high P/E ratio compared to the broader market. This overvaluation poses a risk of share price decline if the P/E ratio adjusts to align more closely with its growth prospects.
High Risk
Raw Material Costs and Inflation
The company is vulnerable to rising raw material costs due to inflation, which can lead to scarcity or increased prices. Such increases could negatively impact Nordson's financial health and cash flow.
High Risk
Environmental Regulations
Nordson faces risks from increasingly complex environmental regulations regarding pollution and waste management. Non-compliance or changes in these standards could result in penalties and adversely affect financial performance.
Medium
Cyclical Nature of Product Lines
Some of Nordson's product lines are cyclical, leading to fluctuating demand based on economic conditions. While the company attempts to mitigate this cyclicality, complete elimination of these fluctuations is unlikely.
Medium
Foreign Exchange Rate Fluctuations
With approximately 60% of its revenue generated internationally, Nordson is exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. These fluctuations can significantly impact the company's financial results, both positively and negatively.
Medium
Slowing Revenue Growth
Nordson has experienced a slowdown in revenue growth, with revenue per share growth projected to be less than 2.5% in 2023 and 2024. This deceleration raises concerns about the company's ability to maintain its growth trajectory.
Lower
Economic and Market Conditions
Nordson is susceptible to broader U.S. and international economic conditions, including financial market fluctuations and currency devaluations. These external factors can impact the company's overall performance.
Lower
Integration of Acquisitions
The successful integration of acquisitions poses a risk for Nordson. Challenges in this area could hinder the company's growth and operational efficiency.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Why NDSN Stock Could Outperform
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
Strong Demand in ATS
The company's niche in precision dispensing and Advanced Technology Solutions is expected to continue attracting high-value electronics and semiconductor demand. This segment saw a significant 21% increase in organic sales.
Resilient Pricing and Margins
The belief that Nordson can maintain resilient pricing and margins amidst strong demand is crucial for its investment narrative.
Consistent Growth and Profitability
Nordson has demonstrated consistent annual sales growth, averaging 6% from 2020-2025, and strong profitability metrics, including high gross margins averaging 2% and EBITDA margins averaging 1% over the same period.
Financial Strength and Capital Returns
Nordson has a history of strong free cash flow generation, with free cash before dividends averaging $3.2 billion from 2020-2025, representing 120% of net income. This financial strength supports ongoing share repurchases and a steady dividend.
Positive Analyst Sentiment
Analyst sentiment remains positive, with a consensus rating of 'Moderate Buy.' In the last 90 days, a significant majority of analysts have raised their EPS guidance for Nordson.
Diversified Portfolio
The company's diverse portfolio across multiple high-demand segments, including medical and emerging markets, is expected to support higher recurring revenue and earnings stability.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
NDSN Stock Price Performance
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Current Price
$286.94
52W Range Position
84%
52-Week Range
Current price plotted between the 52-week low and high.
52-Week Low
$187.89
+52.7% from the low
52-Week High
$305.28
-6.0% from the high
1 Month
+9.01%
3 Month
-1.12%
YTD
+19.0%
1 Year
+52.3%
3Y CAGR
+9.6%
5Y CAGR
+6.6%
10Y CAGR
+14.2%
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
NDSN vs Peers
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
Peer Set
Accurate peer set
Forward PE
25.1x
vs 23.1x median
+9% above peer median
Revenue Growth
+3.7%
vs +4.7% median
-20% below peer median
Net Margin
18.4%
vs 19.3% median
-5% below peer median
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NDS NDSN Nordson Corporation | $16.0B | 25.1x | +3.7% | 18.4% | Buy | +8.6% |
ITW ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc. | $75.1B | 23.1x | +1.8% | 19.3% | Hold | +5.0% |
GGG GGG Graco Inc. | $13.3B | 25.7x | +4.7% | 23.0% | Hold | +19.1% |
IEX IEX IDEX Corporation | $16.2B | 25.9x | +4.7% | 14.4% | Hold | +11.0% |
ROP ROP Roper Technologies, Inc. | $36.1B | 16.0x | +9.7% | 21.1% | Buy | +30.7% |
DHR DHR Danaher Corporation | $123.8B | 20.7x | +1.8% | 14.9% | Buy | +41.2% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
NDSN Dividend and Capital Return
NDSN returns capital mainly through $306M/year in buybacks (1.9% buyback yield), with a modest 1.10% dividend — combining for 3.0% total shareholder yield. The dividend has grown for 37 consecutive years.
Dividend SustainableFCF Well Covered
Total Shareholder Yield
3.0%
Dividend + buyback return per year
Buyback Yield
1.9%
Dividend Yield
1.10%
Payout Ratio
37.0%
How NDSN Splits Its Return
Div 1.10%
Buyback 1.9%
Dividend 1.10%Buybacks 1.9%
Dividend Profile
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
Dividend / Share
Trailing annualized cash dividend
$3.15
Growth Streak
Consecutive years of dividend increases
37Y
3Y Div CAGR
19.7%
5Y Div CAGR
20.9%
Ex-Dividend Date
—
Payment Cadence
Quarterly
4 payments over the last 12 months
Buyback Engine
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
Repurchases (TTM)
Cash used for buybacks in the latest trailing period
$306M
Estimated Shares Retired
1M
Approx. Share Reduction
1.9%
Shares Outstanding
Current diluted share count from the screening snapshot
57M
At 1.9%/year, buybacks mechanically lift EPS even with flat earnings — each remaining share represents a slightly larger piece of the company.
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.82 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $3.98 | +86.0% | 2.3% | 3.7% |
| 2024 | $2.14 | -19.5% | 0.2% | 1.4% |
| 2023 | $2.66 | +14.7% | 0.7% | 2.0% |
| 2022 | $2.32 | +28.9% | 2.0% | 3.0% |
FAQ
7 questionsNDSN Investor Questions
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
01Is Nordson Corporation (NDSN) stock a buy or sell in 2026?
Nordson Corporation (NDSN) is rated Buy by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 20 analysts covering the stock, 13 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 7 rate it Hold, and 0 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $312, implying +8.6% from the current price of $287. The bear case scenario is $188 and the bull case is $440.
02What is the NDSN stock price target for 2026?
The Wall Street consensus price target for NDSN is $312 based on 20 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $335 (+16.7% from today), and the low-end target is $270 (-5.9%). The base case model target is $347.
03Is Nordson Corporation (NDSN) stock overvalued in 2026?
NDSN trades at 25.1x times forward earnings. The stock trades at a notable premium to the broad market, which is typical for businesses with strong free cash flow and above-average growth expectations. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals slightly overvalued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
04What are the main risks for Nordson Corporation (NDSN) stock in 2026?
The primary risks for NDSN in 2026 are: (1) Valuation Concerns — Nordson Corporation may be overvalued, indicated by a high P/E ratio compared to the broader market. (2) Raw Material Costs and Inflation — The company is vulnerable to rising raw material costs due to inflation, which can lead to scarcity or increased prices. (3) Environmental Regulations — Nordson faces risks from increasingly complex environmental regulations regarding pollution and waste management. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
05What is Nordson Corporation's revenue and earnings forecast?
Analyst consensus estimates NDSN will report consensus revenue of $3.0B (+3.7% year-over-year) and EPS of $9.85 (+5.7% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $3.1B in revenue.
06When does Nordson Corporation (NDSN) report its next earnings?
Nordson Corporation is expected to report its next earnings on approximately 2026-05-20. Consensus expects EPS of $2.79 and revenue of $729M. Over recent quarters, NDSN has beaten EPS estimates 83% of the time.
07How much free cash flow does Nordson Corporation generate?
Nordson Corporation (NDSN) generated $646M in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 22.7%. NDSN returns capital to shareholders through dividends (1.1% yield) and share repurchases ($306M TTM).